Means for separating, and propelling overlying members

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a means for separating members that overly one another. The separating means comprises a flexible bag that is placed between the members that are to be separated. The bag contains a gas under pressure. The pressure of the gas is greater than the ambient pressure at the time the members are to be separated. The two members are tied together by clamps. When the clamps are released, the bag inflates thereby causing the members to separate.

States :1: atent lnventor Albert J. Spada Wilmington, Mass.

App]. No. 848,415

Filed Aug. 6, 1969 Patented Oct. 19, 1971 Assignee Avco Corporation Cincinnati, Ohio Continuation of application Ser. No. 701,461, Jan. 29, 1968, now abandoned.

MEANS FOR SEPARATING, AND PROPELLING OVERLYING MEMBERS 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 2l4/10.5, 214/152, 214/310, 206/65 lint. Cl B65g l/l4 Field of Search 206/D1G.

30; 220/97 13; 105/369 BA; 214/10.5 D, 10.5; 46/44, 87, 88, 145, 146; 9/1 I, 11.1, 32, 33

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,247,168 6/1941 Fontaine 294/63AUX 3,095,987 7/1963 Sable 214/38(.l)

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorneys-Charles M. Hogan and Abraham Ogman ABSTRACT: The invention is directed to a means for separating members that overly one another. The separating means comprises a flexible bag that is placed between the members that are to be separated. The bag contains a gas under pressure. The pressure of the gas is greater than the ambient pressure at the time the members are to be separated. The two members are tied together by clamps. When the clamps are released, the bag inflates thereby causing the members to separate.

PATENTEDHBT 19 ISYI FIG.2

Hell llllll VOLUME F|G.5

ALBERT J. SPADA.

INVENTOR.

BY M M //7w MWL MEANS FOR SEPARATING, AND PROPELLING OVERLYING MEMBERS This is a continuation of the patent application entitled Means for Separating, Ejecting and Propelling Overlying Members" Ser. No. 701,461, filed Jan. 29, 1968, now abandoned.

The invention lies in the field of a means for separating members that normally overly each other.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for separating members that normally overly each other.

It is another object of the invention to provide a means for separating members that overly each other in a simple and facile manner.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a separation means for overlying members which converts the potential energy of a gas medium stored in a flexible bag under pressure to a kinetic separating force when the bag is allowed to expand caused by a pressure change.

In accordance with the invention, a means for separating members comprises a first member having an exterior surface, and a second member having an interior surface. The members overly each other in a spaced relationship with the interior surface of the first member confronting the exterior surface of the second member. A deformable and inflatable bag containing a gas under pressure is positioned in the space between the confronting surfaces. Means for detachably securing said first member to said second member is provided.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description ofa specific embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional representation of a separation means in combination with two conically shaped members.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section of a portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of two members being separated.

FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of the invention in schematic representation.

P16. 5 is a curve useful in explaining the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is an assembly comprising a first member 11 and a second member 12. Member 12 overlies member 11 in a spaced relationship.

Members 11 and 12 are shown in conical configurations. In general, it is expected that the exterior surface 13 of the first member 11 will complement the interior surface 14 of the second member 12. However, as will be seen, the shape of the confronting surfaces 13 and 14 can be spherical, a truncated cone, cylindrical or a complex contour.

The materials from which the first and second members 11 and 12 respectively are made, are not significant to this invention.

Note that the first member 11 is tied to ground 16. The ground symbol 16, for the purposes of the invention, is used to indicate that the member 11 is physically immovable or its mass is so much greater than the mass of the second member 12 that itis effectively immovable when the separation force is applied. In the event it is desired that both the first and second members 11 and 12 move upon separation, the first member 11 will have a mass comparable to that of the second member 12 and its movement will not be impeded by a connection to ground.

The spaced relationship between members 11 and 12 is best illustrated in FIG. 2. It is also noted that a deformable bag 17 is inserted in the space separating the members 11 and 12. Preferably, the deformable bag is bonded at the interior surface 14 or mechanically fastened to the second member 12.

The deformable bag 17 contains a gas 18, usually air, under pressure.

The term pressure needs further definition. In the event it is desired to separate members 11 and 12 in the atmosphere, the pressure of gas 18 will be made to exceed atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, if the separation is to take place outside of the earths atmosphere, the pressure of the gas contained in the bag 17 need not be greater than atmospheric pressure. In general, therefore, the extent to which the bag 17 is pressurized is determined by the pressure difference between the gas in the bag and the ambient pressure at the time of separation.

The separation of the members 11 and 12 is restrained by cables 19, see FIG. 1. So long as the cables 19 are intact, members l1 and 12 cannot separate. If the cables are severed, the bag 17 begins to inflate due to the pressure difference between the gas in the bag and the ambient pressure. As the bag expands, it exerts a downward force against the member 11, assuming the member 11 is tied to ground 16. Under the influence of the downward force, the member 12 lifts off the member 11 allowing the bag 17 to inflate further.

FIG. 5 is a curve depicting force as a function of bag volume. It shows that the separation force decreases as the bag expands. Referring to FIG. 5, it is clear that the maximum force occurs at the moment the cables 19 are severed.

The magnitude of the kinetic energy is a function of the initial volume V, (FIG. 5) in the bag. This obviously is a function of the space separating the confronting surfaces 13 and I4. Adjusting the initial volume V is a means of increasing or decreasing the total kinetic energy of the system.

The velocity direction or trajectory of member 12 may be controlled by introducing a center of gravity offset as by weight 36 in FIG. 1.

The magnitude of the force is also a function of the projected horizontal area and for this reason is not a function of the contours of surfaces 13 and 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the member 12 fully free of the member 11 and the bag 17 in a fully expanded condition. The symbol 21 refers to a valve means for introducing gas into the interior of the bag.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an alternate schematic representation of a plurality of members 23 through 27 contained in a housing 22. Pressurized bags 29 through 31 are disposed in the spaces between the members 23 through 27. The pairs of pins 33 are provided for securing each of the members to the housing 22.

Referring particularly to the member 27 and the pressurized bag 32, this combination has been expelled from the housing 22 as a result of actuating the pins 34 removing the restraint against movement of the member 27.

The various features and advantages of the invention are thought to be clear from the foregoing description. Various other features and advantages not specifically enumerated will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as likewise will many variations and modifications of the preferred embodiment illustrated, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

1. Means for separating, ejecting and propelling a plurality of members comprising:

a. a first member having an exterior surface,

b. a second member similar in shape to said first member having an interior surface complementary to said exterior surface overlying said first member in a predetermined and fixed spaced relationship with said interior surface confronting said exterior surface, said second member being separable, ejectable and propellable from said first member, I

c. a pressurized deformable bag means positioned in the fixed space between the confronting surfaces for applying a force on said second member tending to separate, eject and propel the second member from the first member; and

d. clamp means stressed by said force for normally and operationally maintaining said predetermined and fixed spacing and for restraining said second member from being separated, ejected and propelled from said first member, and for disengaging said members to separate, eject and propel said first member from said second member, when activated.

2. A separation, ejection and propelling means as defined in claim 1 in which the first member is immovable.

3. A separation, ejection and propelling means as defined in claim 2 in which said second member contains an eccentric mass to control the flight trajectory of said second member.

4. A separation, ejection and propelling means as defined in claim 1 in which said bag is sealed, containing a fixed quantity of gas.

5. A separation, ejection and propelling means for a plurality of similarly shaped members positioned in a container where at least one of said members overlies at least one of the other members in a predetermined and fixed spaced relationship, said overlying members having complementary confronting surfaces, said members being separable, ejectable and propellable one from another, clamp-restraining means joining said container and a member stressed by said force cited below for normally and operationally maintaining said predetermined and fixed spacing and for preventing one member from being separated, ejected and propelled from the other said clamp means being separatable from at least one of said members, and a pressurized deformable means positioned in the space between confronting surfaces, for applying a force on said members to separate, eject and propel one from the other when a clamp is separated from the topperrnost members.

6. A separation, ejection and propelling means as defined in claim 5. in which each of said confronting surfaces is separated by a pressurized bag, are colinearly aligned and clamped for release in sequence.

7. A method of separating, ejecting and propelling one member from anothercomprising the steps of:

a. providing first and second members having spaced confronting surfaces;

b. positioning a pressurized deformable bag in the space between said confronting surfaces so as to impart a force on said confronting surfaces tending to move said confronting surfaces apart;

c. joining said confronting surfaces with a restraining means separable from one of said members which normally and operationally is stressed by said force yet maintains said confronting surfaces in situ; and

d. separating said restraining means from one of said members whereby at least one of said first and second members is propelled away from the other.

22 5 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3. 613, 9 7 Dated October 19, 1971 Inventor(s) Albert p da It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The title reads:

Means for Separating, and Propelling overlying Members The title should read:

Means for Separating, Ejecting and Propelling Overlying Members Signed and sealed this Lpth day of July 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD PLFLEICH'ER, JR, ROBERT GOT'I SCHALK Attesting Office Commissioner of Patents 

1. Means for separating, ejecting and propelling a plurality of members comprising: a. a first member having an exterior surface, b. a second member similar in shape to said first member having an interior surface complementary to said exterior surface overlying said first member in a predetermined and fixed spaced relationship with said interior surface confronting said exterior surface, said second member being separable, ejectable and propellable from said first member, c. a pressurized deformable bag means positioned in the fixed space between the confronting surfaces for applying a force on said second member tending to separate, eject and propel the second member from the first member; and d. clamp means stressed by said force for normally and operationally maintaining said predetermined and fixed spacing and for restraining said second member from being separated, ejected and propelled from said first member, and for disengaging said members to separate, eject and propel said first member from said second member, when activated.
 2. A separation, ejection and propelling means as defined in claim 1 in which the first member is immovable.
 3. A separation, ejection and propelling means as defined in claim 2 in which said second member contains an eccentric mass to control the flight trajectory of said second member.
 4. A separation, ejection and propelling means as defined in claim 1 in which said bag is sealed, containing a fixed quantity of gas.
 5. A separation, ejection and propelling means for a plurality of similarly shaped members positioned in a container where at least one of said members overlies at least one of the other members in a predetermined and fixed spaced relationship, said overlying members having complementary confronting surfaces, said members being separable, ejectable and propellable one from another, clamp-restraining means joining said container and a member stressed by said force cited below for normally and operationally maintaining said predetermined and fixed spacing and for preventing one member from being separated, ejected and propelled from the other said clamp means being separatable from at least one of said members, and a pressurized deformable means positioned in the space between confronting surfaces, for applying a force on said members to separate, eject and propel one from the other when a clamp is separated from the toppermost members.
 6. A separation, ejection and propelling means as defined in claim 5, in which each of said confronting surfaces is separated by a pressurized bag, are colinearly aligned and clamped for release in sequence.
 7. A method of separating, ejecting and propelling one member from another comprising the steps of: a. providing first and second members having spaced confronting surfaces; b. positioning a pressurized deformable bag in the space between said confronting surfaces so as to impart a force on said confronting surfaces tending to move said confronting surfaces apart; c. joining said confronting surfaces with a restraining means separable from one of said members which normally and operationally is stressed by said force yet maintains said confronting surfaces in situ; and d. separating said restraining means from one of said members whereby at least one of said first and second members is propelled away from the other. 